2013 NFL Season — 5 Things We Learned From Week 3

Seven NFL teams remain unbeaten pending the Monday night game between Denver and Oakland, while six teams have yet to win in 2013. Here are the most important takeaways from Week 3.

The AFC Is Better Than Advertised

Getty Images

Many NFL pundits believed the NFC was superior to the AFC coming into the 2013 season. It's harder to make that argument after three weeks. With Miami (3-0), Cincinnati (2-1) and Indianapolis (2-1) all scoring inter-conference wins over Atlanta (1-2), Green Bay (1-2) and San Francisco (1-2) respectively, the AFC teams may have illustrated that the pre-season bluster was all-hype.

The Jets Have a Better Record Than the Packers or 49ers

Getty Images

Somehow, the New York Jets (2-1) are not terrible. After beating Buffalo (1-2) by virtue of a 69-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to Santonio Holmes, Rex Ryan's team has a better record than the Packers, 49ers, Redskins, Steelers and the Giants. Yes, the wins have been all but gift-wrapped by the Buccaneers and Bills, but plenty of fans could have been expected an 0-3 start for the Jets. New York could easily push its record to 3-1 at Tennessee next Sunday. Maybe injured QB Mark Sanchez is the team's LVP (Least Valuable Player)? They seem to play better with him out of the lineup.

The Colts Didn't Need Trent Richardson To Beat The 49ers

Getty Images

When Indianapolis (2-1) traded a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Browns for running back Trent Richardson earlier this week, many experts assumed it was to give Andrew Luck and the Colts' offense another dimension. Indy didn't need the added threat to beat the reeling 49ers (1-2) by a 27-7 score in San Francisco on Sunday. Luck threw for 164 yards and joined Ahmad Bradshaw and Richardson in scoring rushing touchdowns. Bradshaw piled up 95 yards on 19 carries, leaving some fans wondering if the team needed its new acquisition.

Brian Hoyer Kept Browns' Fans From Rioting

Getty Images

Quarterback Brian Hoyer made his second career start for Cleveland (1-2), and he threw for 321 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the Browns' 31-27 win over Minnesota (0-3). Sure, Hoyer did throw three interceptions — and the Vikings are terrible — but his performance kept Browns' fans from completely abandoning all hope on the 2013 season after the team inexplicably traded running back Trent Richardson earlier in the week. Cleveland fans will have to wait another week to get back on the ledge.

The Giants' Offense Is Bad

Getty Images

The New York Giants (0-3) had just three yards of offense in the first quarter during Sunday's embarrassing 38-0 loss to Carolina (1-2). New York quarterback Eli Manning was sacked six times in the first half and seven times for the game. So, other than the inaccuracy of the quarterback, the inability of the line to block for him and the tendency of the running back to fumble, the Giants have looked great so far in 2013, which is to say that they are not good at all right now.